Man convicted of murder in shaken baby death case

EL PASO {AP} A jury has convicted a man of murder in the death of his 8-month-old daughter, who died of brain trauma in what doctors refer to as "shaken-baby syndrome."

The punishment phase of Solomon Weatherby's trial began Friday after the 22-year-old was found guilty Thursday in the death of his infant daughter, Vivian.

The girl was injured in September 1998. Prosecutors contend Weatherby became angry when the baby cried while he was watching the Philadelphia Eagles-Arizona Cardinals game telecast.

"In our society, we don't want to believe a parent is capable of killing their own child," prosecutor Alma Trejo said. "But all you have to do is open the newspaper or turn on the TV to realize it does happen."

Jurors deliberated less than two hours before rendering the verdict. They could have convicted Weatherby of capital murder had they believed he "knowingly" killed the baby. But they opted for the lesser charge of murder.

Weatherby could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

Royce House, Weatherby's mother, described her son as a child-oriented person who nicknamed his daughter "May-May" for her middle name Maylika.

"Solomon told me that May-May was his reason for living," she said. "He was so thrilled to be a father."